ROCKY HILL CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST Established 1727 ~ An Open and Affirming Community Christmas Evening Worship Service December 24, 2017 5:00 p.m.
~ORDER OF WORSHIP~ Welcome to Rocky Hill Congregational Church, UCC, this evening. We re glad you have joined us for Christmas Eve worship, and we wish everyone a blessed and joyous Christmas. Hearing-assist devices are available for this service. Please ask an usher. Nursery care is available downstairs in Room 4. PRELUDES Of The Father's Love Begotten setting by Wilbur Held In Dulci Jubilo setting by Marcel Dupres WELCOME AND GREETING Rev. Craig L. Cowing INTROIT On Christmas Night (Sussex Carol) arr. Ralph Vaughan Williams Choir with Children and Youth Chorus OPENING PRAYER *OPENING CAROL FOR CONGREGATION AND CHOIR Once in Royal David s City Victoria Bower, soloist The congregation joins in singing stanzas three, four, and five LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLES Reader One: We are a people of hope. Our hearts are full of anticipation for the coming of our beloved Christ Child. For God is to be among us and we will see a great light in the midst of our night. Let us light the Candle of Hope. The first candle is lit. Reader Two: We are a people who seek peace. We know that God has told us to turn our weapons of war into instruments that benefit all humanity. In the name of that Child who was born long ago to become the Prince of Peace, we now light the Candle of Peace. The second first candle is lit. *please rise in body or in spirit Bold denotes unison response
Reader Three: We are a people who seek to be brought together by the love of Christ. Our faith teaches us that God gives us unconditional love and forgiveness. Acknowledging God s free gift of grace, we light the Candle of Love. The third candle is lit. Reader Four: Joy to the world! Our God is now coming to bring us good news. May we sing songs of praise and gladness. We know that our Savior reigns. Let us light the Candle of Joy. The fourth candle is lit. LIGHTING OF THE CHRIST CANDLE Through the season of Advent, we have been watching, waiting, praying, for the coming of light into the world. All: We have lit the candles of peace, hope, joy and love, longing for the day when the things of darkness selfishness and greed, suffering and oppression shall be no more. Tonight we light the Christ candle as we celebrate the birth of the one in whom God s light has come. We pray that as we follow him in the ways of love, God s light will be born anew in us and in our world. The Christ candle is lit. May the light of Christ illumine the past, that we might learn from it with thankfulness, illumine the present, that we might live in it with love, illumine the future, that we might prepare for it in hope. All: Thanks be to God for light and the promise of light, now and always. *HYMN Lo, How a Rose E er Blooming NC (black) 127
SCRIPTURE READING Isaiah 9: 2-7 OT p.598 Pew Bible God s Faithfulness Redeems Us PRAYER O God our Redeemer, when we have strayed from your paths You light our way home, and send us your Holy One to guide the way. Let us follow in the way of your Light, walking faithfully with You in the paths of justice and peace which lead to abundant life. MESSAGE FOR ALL AGES Georgette Huie *HYMN In the Bleak Midwinter NC 128 SCRIPTURE READING: Matthew 1: 18-23 NT p.1 Pew Bible Joseph Dreams of God-With-Us PRAYER O God of depth and mystery, You call us beyond convention to a way of risky faithfulness. Fill our dreams with your truth and our minds with your discernment so that we, like Joseph, may awaken with confidence and joy to expand our lives and make room for You.
SCRIPTURE READING: Luke 2: 1-7 NT p.50 Pew Bible Jesus is Born DUET The Virgin s Slumber Song Max Reger Victoria Bower and Melody Hall PRAYER O fragile Savior You come, unprotected, into our dangerous world and offer yourself as our peace. Let our joy be to seek your peace let our hope be to foster your peace let our purpose be to announce your Peace with all the fervor of the angels and all the courage of the poor: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, God s peace! OFFERTORY Offertory Anthem A La Nanita Nana (Spanish Carol) arr. Norman Luboff The Choir CHRISTMAS MESSAGE CHRISTMAS PRAYER SOLO O Holy Night Adolphe Adam Melody Hall, Soprano
*CAROL AND THE LIGHTING OF CANDLES Silent Night PH (red) 138 As the candlelight is passed from person to person around the circle, please tip unlit candles only. Extinguished candles may be placed in the baskets as you leave the sanctuary. Silent night, holy night, all is calm, all is bright Round yon virgin mother and child. Holy infant so tender and mild, Sleep in heavenly peace, sleep in heavenly peace. Silent night, holy night, shepherds quake at the sight, Glories stream from heaven afar, Heavenly hosts sing alleluia; Christ the Savior is born! Christ the Savior is born! Silent night, holy night, Son of God, love s pure light Radiant beams from thy holy face, With the dawn of redeeming grace, Jesus, Lord, at thy birth, Jesus, Lord at thy birth. BENEDICTION POSTLUDE I Saw Three Ships (English Carol) arr. D.D. McKeever LITURGIST GREETER USHERS HOSPITALITY Bob Carberry Victoria Bower Christopher, Joseph, and Mark Sheehan InReach All are invited to join us downstairs in Chapin Hall for refreshments after the service.
Looking Ahead Sunday, January 7 th, 10:00 a.m. Worship and Epiphany Pageant
Thank you all for your purchase of poinsettias, both for our shut-ins and for the decoration of our lovely sanctuary. As always, special thanks to those who decorate and who deliver poinsettias. May you know the joy of this Christmas season. The Flower Committee and the Diaconate GOVERNANCE UPDATE Copies of the final version of the proposed Constitution are now available for pickup in the narthex, in the hallway across from the office, and in Chapin Hall. A related "Frequently Asked Questions" (FAQ) document is also available. Look for additional info, displays, and perhaps a second-hour session during the next several months, in preparation for voting on this new Constitution at the Budget and Elections Meeting on March 18. If you would prefer to receive digital versions of the two documents (in pdf format), please send an email request to treasurer@rhccucc.org. Diaper Drive The Diaper Bank distributes free diapers to poor families, food pantries, soup kitchens, day care centers and shelters throughout Connecticut. We ll collect diapers during the Epiphany Pageant on Sunday, January 7. The Office will be closed Monday and Friday Dec 25 & 29, and Monday, January 1. Rev. Craig will hold office hours 9am-Noon Tues-Thur, Dec 26-28. Join us on Tuesday, January 2 at 9:30am for the Church Mouse mailing. Have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! WEATHER CANCELLATION POLICY If worship is canceled, a notice will be posted either Saturday evening or early Sunday morning on the following media outlets: Channel 3 WFSB-TV Our facebook page www.facebook.com/rhccucc Our website rhccucc.org
Christmas Poinsettias IN LOVING MEMORY OF: Ed and Charlotte Bacon In honor of Beverly and Henry Hudson In honor of family and friends Our parents, Armand and Bette Benoit and Ed and Gladys Carberry My Mother, Jennifer O Connor Our Grandparents Our Grandparents Warren Carpenter Chester J. Cole Gene Little Domenic and Mildred Yacobucci and Irene Conte Angie Toce Pat Howland Clarence and Hazel Vaux Barbara Vaux and Hugh Curtin Peter Curtin Our parents and in-laws Our sister in law Judy Wieleba McKinney Norman and Adna Haluday and Norman, Helen and Bill Sageman Nellie and Loydon Clark Philip and Lydia Waugh Emil and Ida Hanson Gail s father, Richard Boberg Our Parents Susan Mike Heneghan Donald Thompson, Jr, Dad and Grandpa Remembering with love our fun Uncle Bill Maley Long term church members Dorothy and Robert Hunter My loving parents My parents, Ronald and Dorothy Young Louis LaCava GIVEN BY: Ed and Holli Bacon III Louise Butts Bob and Denise Carberry Julia O Connor Bower and Inderbitzen Family Gladys Carpenter Grace Cole and Jackie Little Deb Copes Gail and Gregson Curtin Art Franscarelli and Judith McKinney Frascarelli Ruth Fitzgerald and Dave Sageman Lois Griswold Robert and Janet Hansen Dave and Gail Hall David and Bobbie Hawkins Steph Heneghan Cindy, Maley and Thompson Hunt Glenn Hunter Jan LaCava and Family
Christmas Poinsettias IN LOVING MEMORY OF: Jim McNally Doris McNally Margaret Libera Mary Damiata Michele Van Epps William and Adrienne Cain Hazel and Lester Updyke Janet and William Ware Jack Mahon, Nancy s father In honor of our parents; Dan & Judy Wilcock and Pat Mahon Rita Walworth Rita Walworth Rita Walworth Rita Walworth To honor the birth of Claire Christina Ann Gwilliam In honor of the birth of Claire Christina Ann Gwilliam Sue Starr Sue Starr In memory of Sue Starr and her many years of loyal participation in the music of our church. Barbara and Paul Nelson Claire Roches and David Walshe Gil VanNess Our parents, Sue VanNess and John Hummel GIVEN BY: Lisa Libera Carol and Christopher Marshall Candy and Louis Smith Wendy and Steve Ware Barry and Nancy Wilcock Mark and Pat Hughes Walworth John and Elena Walworth-Faits Grandsons Nicholas and Jacob Faits Our family and friends in heaven Parents: Kevin and Kayla Gwilliam Aunt and Uncle Jasen, Brenda Hughes and Sons Mark and Pat Hughes Walworth Dick Starr and daughters; Becky and Merri and Families The Choir The Hoffman, Fulda, Maynard Families Sue VanNess and Jennifer Martin
Rocky Hill Congregational Church, United Church of Christ 805 Old Main Street Rocky Hill, CT 06067 The Friendly Church at the Center Church Office: office@rhccucc.org / 860 529-4167 Church Website: rhccucc.org Visit us on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/rhccucc Open and Affirming Statement Because we believe that all people are created in God s image and thus are blessed and loved equally by God, and because love is a unifying and strengthening force within our Christian Faith, We, the members of the Rocky Hill Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, hereby declare ourselves an Open and Affirming Christian community, actively expressing Jesus inclusive embrace of all people. We welcome all who seek to follow Jesus, including persons of every age, gender, race, national origin, faith background, marital status and family structure, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, mental and physical ability, economic and social status, and educational background, to share in the life, leadership, ministry, fellowship, worship, sacraments, responsibilities, blessings and joys of our church family. Jesus teaches us to welcome all God s children into God s covenantal community. As we grow together in faith and love, we will strive to celebrate the diversity in which God has created us. Approved by congregational vote June 2009 Ministry Team Ministers: All the members of the church Pastor: The Rev. Craig L. Cowing ccowing@rhccucc.org Minister for Children and Youth: Georgette L. Huie ghuie@rhccucc.org Minister of Music: Mary DeLibero mary@rhccucc.org Office Manager: Theresa Cleary office@rhccucc.org Webmaster: Dave Hall webmaster@rhccucc.org Child Care Provider: Liz Pulling lrpulling@icloud.com